January 19th, 2010
Tennis boosters seeking racquets to help students

Last spring’s state tennis tournament qualifiers from San Marcos High School. Front row, left to right: Juliano Hernandez, Stephanie Gonzales and Jacob Lucas. Back row, left to right: Coach Jack Hughes and Hunter Voyles.

STAFF REPORT

Donations of tennis racquets are being accepted by the San Marcos High School tennis program for players who cannot afford them. Both gently used and new racquets are being accepted.

The tennis program has been quite successful during the past few years. Last season, the Rattlers won their district as they finished with a 17-0 record.

“As our tennis program grows and we have more and more students at high school and junior high playing tennis, we have a need for racquets for students who cannot afford them,” San Marcos coach Jack Hughes said.

The team’s booster club is spearheading the collection effort.

“Not having a racquet should not be a barrier for a child interested in playing tennis,” said booster club president Mary Braun.

The booster club supports the growing tennis program. Said Braun, “Tennis is a life-long sport that has tremendous benefits.”

Braun cited research by Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger who studied 10,000 people through the course of 20 years and found that people who play tennis three hours per week at a moderately vigorous intensity cut their risks of death in half from any health-related cause.

Racquets may be dropped off at the SMHS tennis courts or at both locations of Victory Cleaners, 418 South LBJ Drive and 102 Wonder World Drive.

Cash donations for racquet purchase may be mailed to SMCISD Tennis Booster Club, C/O Jack Hughes, 2601 East McCarty Lane, San Marcos, 78666.

Residents who would like to get their children involved in tennis can call Hughes at (512) 393-6800 and leave a message.